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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. As Lewis and his small scouting party ascended the north river bank, they were plagued by

2. Lewis feels that Native Americans will become civilized citizens, but

3. Lewis hoped that the Indians would accept

4. Shannon stayed lost for so long because he thought

5. The Shoshones removed their moccasins to smoke with Lewis, indicating

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain Lewis' realization when he was threatened by buffalo bulls, a bear and wolverines.

2. Is it obvious why Clark's commission stayed that of lieutenant and not captain? How did that affect the two leaders?

3. Discuss Lewis' mental meanderings on his 32nd birthday.

4. What caused the expedition's "portage" period to be longer than expected?

5. Why is Sacagawea's presence valuable to the expedition?

6. Did Jefferson see something special in Meriwether Lewis?

7. Why did Jefferson appoint Lewis as his personal secretary?

8. What happened to Lewis' beloved iron-frame boat?

9. Of what, exactly, was the "great father" trying to convince the Indians, under Jefferson's instructions?

10. Describe the irony in Lewis' attitude toward Native Americans and African Americans.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Research and write an exploratory essay on the Nez Perce Indians

1) The Nez Perce were favored by Lewis and Clark as being kind, generous and trustworthy.

2) Did the Nez Perce have any earlier history with, or prior reasons to trust the white men?

3) What was the ultimate disposition of their tribe? How did the US government deal with them? Is there a reservation? Is the tribe still in existence?

4) Research and describe the customs and traditions in the Nez Perce culture.

Essay Topic 2

Thomas Jefferson gave birth to the idea of an expedition to find the Northwest passage. Write a persuasive essay about any or all of the following:

1) Did Jefferson prove to be a fair weather friend to Lewis & Clark?

2) What did Jefferson do upon Lewis' return to help distribute his findings? Was Lewis properly credited?

3) Did Jefferson get what he wanted out of the expedition, besides the answer to his question about a waterway to the Pacific?

4) Jefferson claims to have known that Lewis had some mental illness all his life. Did he take any measures to help Lewis?

Essay Topic 3

John Coulter left the expedition to go on to explore the Yellowstone area, with Lewis' blessings.

1) What can we learn about John Coulter? Is he famous in the annals of American history for his work?

2) Did Coulter have any productive interactions with Indians in the Yellowstone country?

3) Did Coulter keep journals, and was he also a "naturalist" like Lewis?

4) Is there any recorded history of why he made such a decision?

5) What did Coulter accomplish and when/where did he die?

(see the answer keys)

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